Galei

The Weaver of Fate

The Spider Queen, The Weaver, The Queen of Fate Galei, one who sees the threads of life, is the patron of many in the world. She is a benevolent goddess who oversees her followers with a kind eye. She is considered the patroness of weavers, sailors, fishermen, and healers, as Galei is the one who spins the silk and thread that heals, creates sails and ropes, and her threads link the lives of people together. It is said that Galei may be one of the most powerful, as her influence is one of governing the fate of all, and some believe this also includes the fate not only of the Mortal Realm but also reaching beyond in a vast web. It is for this reason that Galei rests at the top of the Thalachni Pantheon.

While Galei is mostly worshipped in Thalach, her influence has reached far and wide, with the Shaiya having taken up her religion over time, as Galei does not demand the faith of her followers. Galei only asks that her people at least try to be decent to each other and is even highly forgiving when it comes to those that fail to do so, as she understands that mortal life is difficult and full of many threads to stumble over that mortals cannot see. It is not uncommon to see Galei’s worshippers aiding the less fortunate, as a portion of the temple's proceeds help to feed those that have fallen on hard times. Many of the devotees are also either fine weavers or healers gifted with abilities, able to weave wounds closed, and have become some of the most knowledgeable on the nature of all manner of diseases in the world. It is not uncommon to see the white sash of a healer on battlefields, and even if they do not follow Galei, very few will take a weapon to a healer, as these people have taken oaths to heal all who need it, both friends and foes alike, without prejudice.

Influence

Fate, weaving, and healing While her healers and weavers are the best known, Galei is considered a patron of sailors and fishermen across the Argai Sea, as sails and nets blessed by the temple seem to last longer, with sails catching the air better than others and nets catching more fish.

Symbols & imagery

Having many forms, Galei is often portrayed as a woman with indeterminate features, often holding a thread. She is also depicted as a spider, or something between these forms, depicted as a woman with the lower body of a spider, or even merely with many limbs as she weaves. However, even in her most monstrous form, she is considered a protector and a kind goddess.

Region

While Thalach is the center of Galei worship, her influence has spread to their neighbors in Iberu and beyond. Depictions of Galei can be found across the known world, even if she is not the primary deity in those regions.

Afterlife

With columns that stretch to infinity, Galei’s realm is a weaver's room that is crossed by golden threads. These threads intersect and are woven together in places, and at first glance or even a second or third, it seems to be nothing more than chaos. However, the Goddess is attentive to her work and can be seen tending to the threads, weaving new strands and cutting out old ones, maintaining an ever-changing pattern. Those that are welcomed to her hall after their deaths aid her in this task, gifted with the ability to see patterns as she does as well as defend the realm from anything that may wish to enter unannounced. These souls are watched over and protected by the great weavers, entities sworn to protect the threads of fate from forces that wish to unravel the fabric, described as both beautiful and monstrous; only those of good will tend to survive an encounter with a weaver that is sent to the mortal realms. Weavers often aid in the protection of mortals against other foes, as they share their creator’s fondness for the mortal races.

Other Notes

For purposes in-game, the Zath religion can be used as a substitute.

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